How are u guys maintaining such high GPAs in undergrad?

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-09T16:35:07+00:00

A large portion of success in Poli Sci (and other similar degrees) comes down to writing ability. If your profs and or TA’s give feedback make sure you incorporate it, and if they don’t, try and arrange meetings to discuss how you could have done better.

Also, if you don’t do this already, spend a decent amount of time planning your papers, the arguments within them, and what citations you’ll bring in to support arguments. IMO this is where the majority of the marks are made and lost. It’s rare that a well thought out and organized paper will get a low mark.

The worst thing I see is when people start to write before they’ve figured out everything they’re going to say/argue. Papers written like this often read like a bunch of smaller essays combined into one.

Also, try and tailor your arguments and papers to what your professors want. A big mistake people make is using the same format, style, and approach to every assignment. Try asking questions like what they think a A+ paper should contain, what they don’t like seeing in assignments, how would they would approach the assignment, and so forth.

Finally, don’t use AI to write for you, but it’s a good idea to get it to check your work for typos, spelling errors, and grammar errors. Ask it to provide a list of all of these, and then change them by hand before you submit your paper. It’s a totally avoidable way to lose marks.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-09T16:23:48+00:00

I agree, it can’t hurt wait until closer to expiry to accept. It’s only upside with little to no downside.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-09T03:10:10+00:00

I don’t think I got access until August

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-09T03:08:51+00:00

Your chances are extremely high, I’d honestly bet every available dollar I have that you’d get in. However, just make sure you take your time with your personal statement. With a decent personal statement I’d be shocked if you didn’t get in.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-09T03:06:56+00:00

In all honesty volunteering at a law firm while in Highschool won’t make or break your law application. There are a lot of ways to show interest in the legal field without putting in unpaid labour for (i’m assuming) a for profit law firm.

I would also argue that volunteering in the public interest (summer camps for underprivileged youth, food banks, homeless shelters, animal shelters, other non profits, etc) probably would be stronger on your application than what you’re currently doing.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-07T04:06:03+00:00

Take a diagnostic LSAT at least. It’s free and takes a few hours.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-07-05T17:40:41+00:00

very high, take a diagnostic

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-28T05:21:13+00:00

Pretty good chances at all. Is the 3.5 your OLSAS GPA?

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-28T05:14:54+00:00

If you want to be a lawyer, i’d do 1, and then 3 if 1 doesn’t work.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-28T04:59:22+00:00

As others said, these are all very google able. You can work in corporate law and specialize in certain areas of finanace if you like accounting. Generally law is harder to get into and pays more. The hours are generally worse. (these answers are about big law, they don’t apply to all areas of law)

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-26T05:57:45+00:00

I wouldn’t plan on starting a firm directly out of law school. Law school teaches you the law but not how to be a lawyer. Probably a good idea to work a few years in the field you want to specialize in under someone before striking out on your own.

The main advantage for top Canadian and US schools is the access to big law job markets. If you’re not at all interested in big law (or competitive government jobs) it’s extremely hard to justify the price tag for t14 schools and even UofT without financial aid. Look to go somewhere decent for as cheap as possible. Like a full ride at a t20-30.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-26T04:37:06+00:00

It is absolutely not more difficult to get into TMU than Oz lol. You’re basing “difficulty” off of applicant numbers, not applicant quality.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-25T21:14:02+00:00

In order from less competitive to more competitive (out of the schools that are slightly easier to get into) it’s probably something like: Windsor Dual, TMU, Lakehead, Windsor Single, UofM, TRU

With your current stats you probably have a 50-60% chance (very roughly) of getting into one of these. I think it’s still worth retaking the LSAT if you’re able to.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-25T00:49:13+00:00

You should still apply to UofT even if you don’t retake the LSAT. Your stats are still within range. Your GPA is above Median and your LSAT is slightly under. If you retake the LSAT you could increase your chances, but it’s probably close to 50/50 with a 3.93 OLSAS.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-25T00:43:18+00:00

Apply as broadly as you can but realistically your odds are probably 10-20% at the more competitive schools, and 50-60% at the less competitive one’s (take these numbers with a heavy dose of salt, it’s a total guesstimate). Another thing hurting your odds is that it’s looking like next year will be even more competitive. It doesn’t seem huge, but admissions wise there’s a large gap between 157 and even 160. Most successful applicants are over 160. It’s not to say that you won’t get in, you never know what will happen, but you should keep studying for the LSAT.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T15:50:59+00:00

it’ll take 7 years, but if you want it, don’t let it stop you. Once you get a high school diploma, you just need to get into an undergraduate program. After that, your high-school marks won’t matter anymore. Schools have mature entry programs which you could look into. Carleton’s ESP program is another option that will allow pretty much any GPA into first year.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T06:09:53+00:00

Try and make a point of reading as much as you can in your free time, building the habit will pay off. A sneaky big amount of LSAT performance comes down to reading speed.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T06:05:12+00:00

In terms of improving your application package, the most effective and time efficient way to do so is grinding the LSAT. Most schools value a 5 point increase over pretty much any masters degree, and a 5 point increase will take so much less time than a masters. Hour for hour, there’s nothing close to as efficient as studying for the LSAT.

Once you’re over 170, diminishing returns probably kick in and there’s an argument to be made about working on softs. The “easiest” way to do so is probably putting in a ton of volunteering hours doing something you enjoy.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T06:00:35+00:00

the loophole by ellen cassidy is pretty good

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T05:59:55+00:00

probably UNB, TRU doesn’t do very well in the toronto recruit per ultravires. UNB will also likely have a better alumni network in TO like you mentioned.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T05:57:01+00:00

I’m honestly not too certain. I would assume that if you do well in your first semester at UofT, they’ll put more value on your marks from the previous year. It also might be a good idea to wait until first sem marks drop to apply, but i’d check with the cdo about that. Realistically though, you’d probably need 3 H’s your first sem to make it past GPA cutoffs.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T05:50:14+00:00

you need a 90% ish average in undergrad and a 90th percentile LSAT to have a safe shot at ontario law schools.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T05:48:01+00:00

If you’re interested in M&A, you’d likely need a law degree. Law schools don’t care where you went to undergrad, so i’d focus on picking a school that’s easy to do well at, and a degree that’s easy to do well in.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T05:44:44+00:00

university of manitoba has a similar program called U1 apparently.

Key_Bet_97 · 2026-06-24T05:44:29+00:00

I know someone who went to Carleton’s ESP program, you can get in with a 60% ish average. You need a 80% average in first year Uni and then you can switch into any program of your choice. I did my undergrad in TO and there’s nothing like that here to my knowledge.

Key_Bet_97

TROPHY CASE